Mechanism and method for knitting nonrun or run-resistant hosiery



' Apnl 8; 1941. E. E. CARLSON MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR KNITTING NONRUNOR RUN*RE$ISTANT HOSIERY 8 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Oct, 26, 1939 n EJZQwOWZh/E 002 36022 n e II Um A rils, 1941.

E. E. CARLSON MECHANISM AND IETHOD FOR KNITTING NONRUN 0R RUN-RESISTANT HOSIERY 8 SI i eets-Sheet 2 EZZswowZhl Z UarZsofi,

Filqd Oct. 26 1939 April 8, 1941. s. E. CARLSON 2,237,290

HECHANISH'AND KETHOD FOR KNITTING NQNRUN 0R RUN-RESISTANT HOSIERY 8' SheQts-Shee t 4 Filgd Oct. 26. 1959 Q QQ Q Q Q Q Ivvenior EZZsworZhE fiarason QmWkd WQ (WW April 8, 1941- a. ELCARLSON 2.237.290

uscmmsu AND usmon FOR mu'rrim uomwn on BUN-RESISTANT nosmmr Filed 001:. 26; 19:59 a Shets-Sheet s E g; EEEEEI Q -xm 8R Jvm Invenioz': mltswortii/Eaz lson E. m mma @8@ m "II Ill lillul Q. mwfl mmjmmfi m Qi I sis35%;; m n .5 mm b@ WM April 3, 1941- E. E. cARLsoN 2.2371290 MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR I QITTING NONRUN OR RUN-RESISTANT HOSIERY Filed Oct. 26, 1939 B'Sheets-Sheet 6 A9? A95 3 l Z 1 Ella woz'ZhEZaFZson (smw w M I April 1941- E. E. CARLSON 2.237.290

MECHANiSN AND IETHQD FOR KNITTING NONRUN 0R RUN-RESISTANT HOSIERY Filed Oct. 26, 4939 a Sheets-Sheet 7 w w Z m e MW mm mm Gm mm E E2: 5: w, i km Z dings.

April 1941- E. E. CARLSON 2.237.290

MECHANISM 'AND "ETHOD FOR KNITTING NONRUN 0R RUN RBSISTANT HOSIERY 8. sheets-sheet 8 Filed Oct. 26, 1939 raven/Z0 z".- EZZswovZZI/EC Oax lsqn,

150M W MW Patented Apr. 8, 1941 MECfiANISM AND METEUD' E OR KNHTIING NUNBUN R RUN-RESISTANT HGSIERY Application October 26, 1939, Serial No. 391,446

25 Claims.v

This invention relates to mechanism and method for knitting nonrun or non-resistant hosiery of increased elasticity.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings w'herein- V Fig. 1 is a plan view of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant blankknitted of full width throughout with widened and narrowed heel portions and disclosing one embodiment only of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view. showing the blank after the trimming thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but having only narrowed heel portions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 301' the blank after the trimming thereof;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the narrowing and widening mechanism constituting a part of 'my invention, it being the upper part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, but upona larger scale and showing the parts difl'erently positioned from Fig. 6; i

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the stitch-transferring mechanism and of the needle bar and represents the parts positioned for narrowing at the flare and calf of the leg;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but representing the parts positioned for knitting the heel and the toe;

- Fig. 8 is a plan view of the parts represented in Figs. 5, 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal horizontal section upon the line 99 of Fig. 5 looking downward;

Fig. 10 is a detail in rear elevation of the structure shown at the left hand end of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a verticalsection upon the line I I-ll of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a'vertical section on the line l2-l2 of Fig.5;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal horizontal section on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a detail in rear elevation of the structure shown at the extreme right hand end 0 Figs.'5 and 7, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken through the structure shown in Fig. 14 and also showing the lock controlling cam on the control shaft and connections therefrom to the structure shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the structure shown in the upper part of Fig. 15.

My invention, as to mechanism, method and product, is in certain aspects thereof closely re- Nos. 2,114,955 and 2,114,956, April 19, 1938. While that portion of my invention relating to mechanism is not restricted in its application to any particular knitting machine, I have chosen to illustrate and to describe the same as applied to the general mechanism of and as substitute for the therein-referred to narrowing and widening mechanism shown in my said Patent No. 2,114,955, which I herein broadly designate and herein refer to as stitch transferring mechanism, retaining also for convenience of description and for reference to said patents the more specific designation employed in my said patents.

I shall, in doing so, employ for certain parts the The said narrowing mechanism is also shown.

in end elevation in operating position in Figs. 4 and 5. I.

In the said Patent No. 2,114,955, there are employed at each end of the set-of needles two narrowing or widening blocks controlled in the manner fully described at the said part of the specification of that patent, so as to produce narrowing at the flare and at the calf of the stocking, and also in the sole and toe, the said blocks acting as widening instrumentalities in knitting the heel portions.

My present invention employs in the practice thereof narrowing and widening blocks similar, it may be, in some ways and in general construction, to those shown in my said patent, but by the herein disclosed novel construction I obtain new and important results which I will hereinafter describe in detail and by which I secure an. increased elasticity of the stocking. The means for operating the narrowing and widening blocks constitute important features of my present invention or inventions. The narrowing and widening blocks operated in the manner hereinafter described are employed by me in the making of the blank shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and also in Figs. 3 and 4, but they' may be used in making blanks other than those shown.

Having thus set forth in merely a general way lated to the invention disclosed in my Patents the relation of the Present v n i o What is 2 2,237,290 disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,114,955, I will proceed to describe specifically the selected embodiment of my invention withoutiimiting my invention to such selected embodiment, and with the statement that while the mechanism is of 5 the single-unit single-head type of flat-knit hosiery machine, my invention may be practised on other types of knitting mechanism.

In the manufacture of the stocking blank shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of my said Patent No.

2.1114356, the stocking whereof was originally known'as the W stocking but now as the TV stocking, the large and small blocks of narrowingflngersorpointsateachendofthesetof needles were separated by the distance of one needle duringthe toe narrowings in order to form the so-calied diamond point in the toe. in other words, each large and small block or! narrowing fingers or points were separated on one movemen-t and brought together on the succeeding movement in making the toe narrowings. Duringthe other narrowing -02: operations. each pair of largeand small blocks of nngersor points were kept locked together. This necessitated the lifting of loops composed of the body threadand warpthreadsat each endoftheset of needles, equalling the total number of narrowing fingers or pointsof-both a small and a large block, and this in turn caused the warp threads pertaining to the unlifted loops to become elasticity, and particularly itstransverse elastlcity. This in turn increased the likelihood of transverse knee breakage in the stocking under severe strain- It is highly desirable to retain to some extent the narrowings'at the-flare and the calf of the-leg not only because the consequent 4o fashioning marks are an indication of a true fullflashioned stocking but because. the narrowings actually provide for a better seaming edge.

I have in the course of ray-experimentation found that the amount of warp beam tension varies directly with the number oi. narrowing or transfer fingers orpoinits used, and that by substantially reducing the number of such narrowing or transfer fingers or points usedduring'the flare--- and leg nanrowings (while nevertheless employing some narrowings at such points), I can reduce the warp beam tension proportionately and Y increase theelasticityof the stocking, and particularly in a transverse direction. Moreover the lessened warp beam tension reduced the liability of warp thread breakage during heel widening.

In the disclosed embodiment oi my invention, I employ sixty-two narrowing or transfer fingers or points in the knitting of-the heel and of the toe. This represents the total number of narrowing ortransferiingersorpoinltsinthelargeand the small blocksaltbothendsoitlheset 0f-- But by separating each large block from the companion small block and using only the small block of fingers or points during the flare and the leg narrowinss, I reduce the number of fingers or points used in knitting the "flare and the leg to sixteen. Ithus reduce the warp beam tension byaboutonehalf. Theseflsuresarerepresentative merely, and my invention is not limited thereto.

In the transferring operation, when the sides of the machine.

stocking blank, I provide for racking or otherwise moving in only the two small blocks of norrowing or transfer fingers or points to make the flare and leg stitch transferrings, the two larger blocks of fingers or points still remaining at the After the flare and k8 stitch transferring are completed, the said small blocks of fingers or points are, in accordance with my invention, racked or otherwise moved back outwardly to the respective large blocks, and they (i. e. each large and each small block) are then mechanically connected so as to operate to: gether. Subsequently, each large block and the companioreock of fingers mechanically connected thereto are racked or otherwise moved inward for the narrowing of the heel, the sole and the toe;

Having described in a general way the purposeof themechanismofmyinventionlshall next refer totwo forms or types of blanks which I may make by the mechanism herein disclosed.

but to the making of which my invention is not limited,anditisnotedthattheactual number ofstitchtransfermarksisnot emotlyrepre sented in the drawings.

The stockin s preferably are made with a single welt finished 0! on a sewing machine instead of a double turned welt, but if desired a turned welt may be made.

Preferabhr the entire stocking blank from the commencement of the .weit through the toe is knitted upon a single-unit single-head machine,

and the warp threads which render the stocking? of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character extend continuously throughout each stocking blank from the commencement of the welt through the toe.

The shocking blanks may be kmtted upon a single-unit single-head type of machine, suchas the Wildman machine disclosed in the patent to Howie I: Krieble, No..l,982,991, December 4, 1934,

but-my invention may be practised upon other types of mechanism. Reference is also made to w my Patent No. 2,-l 14,955 for an understanding of the principles of operation employed in the knit ting of anonrun or strongly run-resistant stock'- Dmirably I employ natural silk threads in the 'manuilacture of the stocking, but my invention is not limited to the use of any particular ma- Preferably, however, I do employ natural silk and the body thread or threads may be of such-character as to result in chiflon hosiery. but my invention is not so limited. I may employ in the manufacture of chiffon hosiery two threads or more, and the warp threads are also preferably of silk of like character so that the resultant stocking blank is made of silk throughout, preferably in the gray, and subsequently dyed, but my invention may also be employed in the manufacture of ingrain stockin s.

It will be understood that I provide a stocking or blank therefor wherein is a series of'warp threads, one for substantially each needle wale of the fabric, and collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of the needle wales, so that substantially each stitch of the main thread or threads of the fabric has a stitch of a warp thread, to render the said fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character, said stocking blank having stitches laterally transferred, as will he stated in detail.

large and small blocks of fingers or mm----The stocking blank is preferably knitted upon racked or otherwise moved out to the two sides a machine capable of knitting the entire foot ofthe machine at the compietionoi the and the toe thereof as well as the leg. Thus,

though they do not include actual widenings.

there is provided a fiat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant stocking blank shown generally at i in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and Q, at the upper end of which is desirably a single welt, to be finished off on a sewing machine. This constitutes the very upper part 2 of the blank and may be of any desired depth. The said blank 3 also includes a leg portion 3, and the flares oi the leg and calf are indicated at t, 5', t, 5' respectively in'Figs. l and 3. Said blank I also includes an instep portion 6, heel portions I, l in Figs. 1 and 2, and i3, 3 in Figs. 3 and d. The said blank I also includes a foot-sole portion e, il in Figs. 1 to 4, and-a toe portion ill. The said blank I is knitted from a main or body thread or threads knitted into. all the wales or the said blank from edge to edge thereof and into all the courses of the said blank, and of a series of warp threads extending integrally, without any severance thereof being required by the steps of stocking menufacture, lengthwise the fabric of the blank throughout the said leg portion, instep, heel, foot-sole and the toe. Thus the said stocking or blank when knitted on the TW, or TV type of full-fashioned machine, has asa part thereof formed integrally therewithand without necessary thread severance, an instep portion with initially integral lateral extensions, such as 9, 9, which, when seamed together in the manner referred to in my Patent No. 2,114,955, constitutes the bottom of the foot. The said blank I has the toe iii constituting an integral extension or part of the blank, and the warp threads extend without necessary thread severance throughout the entire longitudinal extent of the heel portion, the instep portion, the footebottom.

portion and the toe. After the blanks shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are knitted of full width throughout, they are subsequently trimmed as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. The seam in this type of stocking extends along the bottom of the foot and up the back of the leg.

The blanks are suitably reinforced in the high splice, the heel, the foot-sole portions and the toe.

In the knitting of the blank shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the stocking blank has stitches laterally 'transferred at the flare and at the calf of the leg, but in the knitting of the heel portions the fabric is first widened as indicated by the first.

ten or so stitch-transferring marks in each heel portion, and is then narrowed inward. This is done through the proper manipulation of the blocks of narrowing or transfer fingers or points, both large and small blocks, by transferring laterally outward stitches each composed of the outward widening of the heel portions, but

insteadI resort to a suitable trimming, as indi- It is to be understood that my invention so far as mechanism is concerned may be employed to knit not only the fabrics shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, but also other suitable stocking blanks.

Having thus describedthe blanks formed by the mechanism of my invention, I will next describe the mechanism employed in producing the said blank i, and, in so doing, I will reier to Figs. 5 to 16. In describing the same I will, as already noted, use for certain parts the same reference numerals that are employed for the same or like parts in my Patent No. 2,114,955.

The narrowing and widening mechanism is provided with two arms i243, its, best indicated in Figs. 5, 6, fl and 8. They are mounted as shown in Fig. 4 of my said vPatent No, 2,114355 on a suitable shaft. The said arms We carry a connecting stud or member lit. Suitably sup ported in a manner-generally similar to that shown in Fig. 60f my said patent, and therefore not necessary to describe in detail, are opposite threads or screws i313, 588, controlled by gearing id'l, which preferably is similar to that shown in the said patent to Howie trKrieble and referred to in my said Patent No. 2,114,955. It therefore need not be more iuily particularly described. Upon the said threads or screws lee, itt are respectiveiy mounted for movement thereby the internally threaded nuts 83, i312. The outer ends of the said nuts 33, I321 are prolonged and shaped as indicated at M, iii and thereto are pivoted at it, it, levers or latches It, it each having in its upper edge a. recess 8?, ill to receive a lateral projeotion I8, it to be referred to. In orderto cause the saidlevers or latches it, it normally to take the position indicated in Fig. '7, I have provided coiled-springs it each connected to a pin is upon the lever or latch It} and to a pin 2i upon the corresponding nut it or its. v

The needle bar is indicated at ii in Figs. 6 and 7, and inasmuch as it'may be of the character disclosed in my Patent No. 2,114,955, no further cated at II, II in Figs. 3 and 4, which may be along the outer contour of the reinforced portion of the upper part of the heel and the high splice. The lowerparts of the said heel portions 8, 8 of Figs. 3 and 4 are, however, narrowed inwardly, as indicated at I2, I2. The heel portions are subsequently trimmed as indicated in Fig. 4, so that heel portions are provided of the proper shape,

reference to the details thereof or to the method of manipulating the same is necessary.

Referring now to Figs. 52 to 55 of my said Patent No. 2,114,955, it will be observed that therein is provided a. bar I92 forming a part of the narrowing or stitch transferring organization and extending transversely thereof and provided at two points with plates or cam elements I93. In my present invention I employ a generally similar bar H92 indicated in many of the Figures 5 to 15, and particularly in Figs. 9, 10 and 15, but not having the said cam elements I93. As best shown in Fig. 15, the said bar I92 is statlonarily mounted at the upper part of the narrowing or stitch transferring mechanism structure. At a. lower level than the said bar I92 I provide in the said structure two additional bars 22, 23. These bars are not stationary but are mounted for sliding movement in the framing or structure of the narrowing or stitch transferring mechanism generally indicated at 3311. The lengthwise charecter oi the said bars 22, 23 is best indicated in Fig. 13, which is a lengthwise section taken through the lower part of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

By connecting up the said two bars 22, 23, respectively, to the two nuts I3, I3a, said bars are moved in opposite directions with respect to each other, and therefore the parts which are connected thereto move toward each other in unison or move away irom each other in unison. The movement of these two bars I3, Na in oppocated by the arrows in Fig. 13.

I employ in association with-the two bars 22, 23 respectively large and small blocks of fashioning or transfer'flngers or points, which fingers or 5 points in themselves are like those shown in my said Patent No. 2,114,955, but inasmuch as the blocks are very differently operated from those shown in my said patent, though provided for the same general purpose, I donot employ the same reference characters that are used for the large and small blocks of fingers or points in my said patent. J

Referring particularly to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 10, the two large blocks at opposite ends of the set of needles are indicated at 24, 26, and the smaller blocks are indicated at 26, 21. Referring to Figs. 10 and 13, it is to be understood that the construction and manner of supporting the two large blocks 24 and 26 are the same, as far as those two blocks are concerned, and that the construction and manner of supporting the two smaller blocks 26, 21 are the same so far as said two smaller blocks are concerned.

The said two nuts I3, I3a are provided with downward extensions 23, 29, which are respectively secured by screws 33, 3I to the two bars 22, 23, so as to move the said bars 22, 23 in opposite directions at all times of movement of the said huts I3, I3a, by the opposite screw threads I36, I36. The said small block 26 is provided with an upward extension 32 which by two screws 33, 33a is secured fast to the said bar 22, so as to move therewith. The other small block 21 is provided with an upward extension 34, which, as shown in Fig. 13, is secured by two screws 36, 35a fast to the said bar 23, so as to move therewith in both directions of its movement.

It will thus be seen that the two small blocks 26, 21 are fixedly connected to the bars 23 and 22 respectively, whereas the larger blocks 24, 26 are not fixedly connected to either of said bars 22, 23. They are nevertheless respectively connected indirectly to said bars periodically in a manner which I will now describe, as illustrating the selected embodiment of that part of my invention.

I have referred to certain parts that are well known, in Fig. 5, as provided with laterally extending pins I3, I-3- with which the notches I1, "Q of the latches I6, l6 are at times engaged. The said two parts are in themselves block-like members 36, 33, which are shown in vertical section in Fig. 11 and are also shown in plan view in Fig. 9. The said two blocks .36, 36 are mounted upon the'fixed bar I92, being normally in stationary position thereon, but with capacity to be slid therealong when required in the narrowing or in a widening operation. In order to hold the said blocks 33, 36 against accidental movement on said bar I92, I have provided suitable friction devices, here shown as a plunger 31 for each block 36, being received in a suitable recess 33 thereof and having an upwardly projecting pin 33 against which presses a plate spring 43 secured at 4Ia upon the block structure 36. Each of said plungers 31 engages, and is heldby, spring 43 against the upper edge of the fixed bar I32.

As clearly indicated in Fig. 11, each block 24, 26 is positioned between the two sliding bars 22, 23, but they are entirely unconnected therewith, being wholly controlled as to their sliding movements by the blocks 36 whensaid blocks 36 are temporarily connected to the nuts I3, I31: through the latches I6, I6. Each of the blocks 24, 26 is respectively connected to the blocks 36 by means 75 site directions with respect to each other is indlq of two screws, the heads of such screws for. the

' block 26 bein shown at 26a in F18. 10 in dotted lines, and one thereof being shown in full lines in Fig. 11. In Fig. 11, the upper end of the block 26 is shown as extending upwardly between'the two bars 22, 23 and along a face of the block 36, and it is there provided with a transversely extending recess 26b to receive a projecting rib 260 from the block 36. Said block 26 is-secured to the block 33 by thesaid screws 26a. The block 24 is similarly connected to the other block 36.

It has already been stated that the springs I3, I3 tend to hold said latches I3, I3 in engagement with the pins I3, I3. when they are so engaged, it is evident that the larger blocks 24, 26 will be moved by the nuts I3, I3a, respectively, and thus partake of all the movements of the smaller'block 26. 21. Referring to Fig. 6, in which thewide combs 24, 26 are left at their outer limits of travel, and to Fig. 7 where the said wide combs 24, 23 are shown as brought inwardly so as to be locked to the narrow combs 26, 21 for operating in the foot, and also referring to Fig. 5 in which the parts are shown upon a larger scale,--it will be understood that, as already set forth Ina paragraph of the specification preceding the detailed Q description (which paragraph begins with the words, in the narrowing operation), means are. provided for racking or otherwise moving in only the smallblocks 26, 21 of narrowing fingers for narrowing at the flare and in the calf of the leg 4 and for racking outwardly the said small blocks to the respective large blocks 24, 26, which then automatically become mechanically. connected so as to operate together. In Fig. 6 is shown at- I31 the usual gearing by which the screw I36, I33 is turned slightly at the end of each narrowing movement to provide for the proper extent of narrowing. Such gearing I31 and the operating means for it are the same as disclosed in the said Howie 3: Krieble type of'single-unit single-head machine. Therefore. when the screw I36, I33 is turned so as to move the two nuts I3, I31: outwardly, the said nuts move the small'blocks 23, 21 with them outwardly until said small blocks come in contact respectively with blocks 24, 26. As said small blocks 23, 21 move outward- 1y, each latch I3 carried by the nuts I3, I31; re-

. spectively rides under the appropriate pin I3, the

outer curved end of the latch I3 riding under such pose I have provided the following me'ans-to which, however, my invention is not limited.

Upon a suitable shaft. which is preferably a control shaft 42, shown in Figs. 15 and 16, (and a which is the so-called selector shaft II3 of my said Patent No. 2,114,955, shown particularly in Figs. 35, 36, 4'1, 48,-49, 73, '74, '15, and described in my said patent beginning with line 43, Pa e '1, as the'shaft b of the patent to Howie 3: Krieble, No. 1,982,991) there is fast a cam 43 having an elevated portion 44 which begins with an outward incline 46 and terminates with a blunt shoulder 46. Bearing upon the periphery of the said cam 43 is the point 41 -of a bell crank lever 43. the

longer ar 43 whereof is pivotally connected at 63 to a link6I itselfpivotally connected at its outer end at l! to a lever arm 58. which is fast upon a shaft 54 extending longitudinally of the machine and indicated in Figs. and 6. Also fast upon the said shaft 54 near each end thereof, as shown in Fig. 5, are two lever arms 55, 55. which have downwardly extending portions 66, 56 constituting locks to contact with the upper edges of the two latches l8, It, as indicated in Fig. and also in Fig. 5. So long as the said locks 58, 58 are in engagement with the latches l6, l6. they hold said latches down out of engagement with the lateral pins l8, I! of the blocks 38, 38 against the tension of the coil springs l8, l9. when, however. the said locks 58, 58 are moved upwardly away from the latches l8, IS, the latter are immediately swung upwardly by the coil springs l8. is so that the notches ll, il thereof engage the'pins l8, l8. Then the said larger blocks 24, 25 partake of the movements of the nuts l3, I812.

, The cam 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig. 15. The said cam 28, being fast upon the said selector shaft which is the shaft H8 of my Patent No. 2,114,955 and being itself designed and shaped as shown in Fig. 15, operates at the proper times in synchronism with the other parts of the mechanism to cause the locks 58 to hold ,the latches I 8 down out of latching position at the necessary times. When the point I! of the lever 48 rides up the incline 45 of the elevation 44, the two locks 58, 58 are brought down onto the latches l6. l8, and hold them away from the said pins i8, if of the blocks 38. When said point 41 of the lever 48 drops oil the abrupt shoulder 48, the two locks 56, 56 are lifted away from the latches I6, i6, and said latches are then lifted by the springs l9, l9 into 2. In mechanism for controlling the number of stitch-transfer fingers or points that are in operation at different stitch-transferring areas of a stocking blank, two block-like supports carthe position shown in Fig. 7, thus causing the said larger blocks 24, 25 to move with the smaller blocks 26, 21 in the fashioning or stitch transferring movements thereof, as already explained, for the heel, sole and toe fashionings or stitch transferring.

Having thus described one embodiment of mechanism for carrying out my invention, and by which mechanism the method of my invention may be practised, and also having described certain stocking blanks which may be made in the practice of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed. they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention bein set forth in the following claims. I

I claim: 7

1. In automatically acting mechanism for automatically controlling the number of stitchtransfer fingers or points that are in operation at different stitch-transferring areas of a stocking blank, a plurality of supports for and among which are distributed those fingers or points that may be rendered effective as a total number at any stitch-transferring area of the said blank,

and automatically acting means mechanically timed in periodicity of action and mechanically connected with a driven part of the knitting mechanism, for restraining from operation'at least one of said supports with the fingers or points thereof at each side of the set of knitting needles, while permitting the remainder of' said supports with the fingers or points thereof to be mechanically operated from a driven part of the knitting mechanism, thereby increasing the elasticity of the stocking at those areas where a lesser number of said supports is temporarily used.

rying stitch-transfer fingers or points at each side of the set of knitting needles by which the stocking or like blank is knitted, means mechanically connected with a driven part of the knitting mechanism and mechanically timed in periodicity of action for restraining from operation at each side of the set of needles one of said supports with its fingers or points, during the knitting of the l portion of the stocking blank at a stitch-transferring area or areas thereof,

and for rendering active in unison at each side of the set of needles both of said supports with their fingers or points during the knitting of the foot portion of the stocking blank at a stitchtransferring area or areas thereof.

3. In mechanism for controlling the number of stitch-transfer fingers or points that are in operation at different stitch-transferring areas of a stocking blank, two block-like supports carrying stitch-transfer fingers or points at each side of the set of knitting needles by which the stocking or like blank is knitted, means mechanically connected in operation with a driven part of the knitting mechanism and timed in periodicity of action for looking out of operation one of said block-like supports at each side of the stocking blank during the knitting of the flare and calf portions of the stocking while permitting the said other supports with their fingers or points to operate for stitch-transferring at said flare and calf portions, and for restoring to operation the said locked-out supports with their fingers or points, thereby permitting all of said fingers or points to operate in the transfer of stitches at one or more points in the knitting of the front portion of the blank.

4. In mechanism for controlling the number of stitch-transfer fingers or points that are in operation at different stitch transferring areas of a stocking blank, two block-like supports carrying stitch-transfer fingers or points at each side of the set of knitting needles by which the stocking or like blank is knitted. opposite screws for moving .said two pairs of supports in opposing directions. and means mechanically connected with the driven part of the knitting mechanism, and timed in periodicity of action for preventing the action of said screws'upon one each of the members of said two pairs of supports, whereby transfer of stitches is effected at certain areas only by the fingers or points of those supports still remaining under the control of said screws.

5. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, salvaged, stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of coniointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weftthread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective erating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screwsrespectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point block-like supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the needle set, and means for periodically connecting the other two of said transfer-point carrying blocks to said bars respectively at the respective sides of the needle set, so as to be periodically moved by said bars respectively.

6. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a fiat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank, whichmechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentali- ,ties, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the blocks to said two bars respectively at opposite sides of the needle set.

'7. In automatically operating knitting mechanis'm for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stockingblank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character, two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point block-like supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the needle set, and means for periodicaly connecting the other two of said transfer-point carrying blocks to said bars respectively at opposite sides of the needle set, said connecting means including blocks 36, 36 connected to said transfer-point carrying blocks and supported for sliding movement, and intercugageable connections between said nuts and said blocks 35, 36.

8. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank,

which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable-springbeard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main sitely movable slide bars connected to said nuts dles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set" of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws'respectively, two opporespectively, one of said transfer-point blocklike supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at including astationary bar, blocks 36, 36 connected to said transfer-point carrying blocks and supported for sliding movement along said stationary bar, and mean controlled by a driven part of the knitting mechanism for periodically cooperating-in the connection of said blocks 36, 36 to said nuts.

9. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strong- 1y run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nom'im or strongly run-resistant character;

two block-like supports each carrying stitchtransfer points at both sides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of ,point carrying blocks to said bars respectively at opposite sides of the needle set, including blocks 36, 36 connected to said transfer-point carrying blocks and supported for opposite sliding movement, and latching means for operatively connecting each block 36 to'the respective nut.

10. In automatically operating knitting mech nism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight tive needle wales in substantially each weft or weft thread course after course to said neeset of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a'set of warp threads into the respecmounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected'to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point blocklike supports at each'side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the needle set, means for periodically connecting the other two of said 1 sets of transfer-point carrying blocks to said bars operatively connecting each block 38 to the re- ,l

spective nut, and means controlled by a driven part of the knitting mechanism for acting upon said latching means periodically.

11. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank,

which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles,

and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales 'in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fab- .ric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point blocklike supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the needle set, means for periodically connecting the other two of said sets of transfer-point carrying blocks to said bars respectively at opposite sides of the needle set, including a stationary bar, two blocks 36, 36 connected to the other two transfer-point carrying blocks respectively and supported for sliding movement on said stationary bar, latches mounted upon said nuts respectively, means upon said blocks 36, 36 for engaging said latches, and

cam-controlled means operated from a driven part of the knitting mechanism for moving said latches periodically to cooperate in the connection of said blocks 36, 36 to said nuts.

12. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for knitting a fiat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles. and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character; two block-like supports each carrying stitchtransfer points at-bothsides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide pins l8, latches movably mounted upon said nuts respectively and having formations to engage said pins l8, and means operated from a driven part of the knitting mechanism for controlling the engagement of said latches with said pins.

13. In automatically operating knitting mecha- 1 nism for knitting a flat-knit, nonrun or strongly bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respective needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant character; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of the. said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point block-like supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the'needle set, means for periodically connecting the other two of said sets of transfer-point carrying blocks to said bars respectively at opposite sides of the needle set, including a stationary bar, two blocks 36, 36 connected to-the other two transfer-point carrying blocks respectivelyand supported for opposite sliding movement on said stationary bar, said blocks having pins l8, latches movably mounted upon said nuts respectively and having v set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread course after course to said needles, and

"with means for incorporating in the knitting operation a set of warp threads into the respec-- tive needle wales in substantially each weft thread stitch thereof, thereby rendering the fabric of a nonrun or strongly run-resistant characteri two block-like supports each carrying. stitch-transfer points at both sides of the said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively, one of said transfer-point block-like supports at each side of the needle set being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at such opposite sides of the needle set, means for periodically connecting the other two of said sets of transfer-point carrying blocksto said barsrespectively at opposite sides of the needle set, including a stationary bar, two blocks 3B, 36 connected to the other two transfer-point carrying blocks respectively and supported foropposite sliding movement on said stationary tionary bar, two blocks ll, it connected tothe' other-two transfer-point carrying blocks respectively and supported for opposite sliding movement on said stationary bar, said blocks having bar, said blocks having pins l8, latches movably mounted upon said nuts respectively and having' formations to engage said pins ll, cam means operated from a driven part of the knitting mechanism, and movable locks operatively connected to and moved by said cam means periodically, to move said latches out of engagement with said pins.

15. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two

oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively,'one of said transfer-point carrying block-like supports being fixedly connected to the said bars respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for periodically connecting the second transfer-point carrying block at each side of the needle series to the said movable bars respectively, so as to move in unison with said other set of transferpoint carrying blocks at such sides respectively.

16. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively at each of the opposite-sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar.

1'7. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor; nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including latches and latch-engaging means respectively connected ports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bar connected to said nuts respectivelyateach of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including latches movably mounted onvsaid nuts and operatively connectible to said second transfer-point carrying blocks respectively, and means automatically controlling the movements of said latches with respect to said second set of blocks.

19. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including a driven shaft'of the knitting mechanism and a rotatable element fast thereon.

20. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at difierent successively knit portions of a tocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically jperiodically connecting one of said second transrotatable member to control the position of said latches.

21.'In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means nected to said' nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including a driven shaft, a rotatable cam fast thereon, a pair of operating connections moved by said cam, locks carried by said operating connections respectively, and latches connected to said nuts respectively and controlled in their position by said locks respectively.

22. In automatically operating knitting mech- 3o anism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at difierent successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type em- I ploying afstraight set of conjointly movable spring beardknitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including a shaft driven from the knitting mechanism, a rotary cam fast on said shaft, lever arm 49 and link connection 5| moved by said cam, a shaft 54 extending lengthwise the mechanism and to which said link 5| is operatively connected, locks 56 carried by said shaft 54 at opposite sides of the needle set, and latches I6 movably mounted upon said nuts and normally tending to move into latching relation with the respective ones of the second set of transfer-point carrying blocks, but periodically restrained from such engagement by said locks 56.

24. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocksecond transferpoint carrying blocks to each points at both sides of said set of knitting needles,

oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars connected to said nuts respectively at each of the opposite sides of the needle series, and means for automatically periodically connecting one of said second transfer-point carrying blocks to each of said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including a shaft driven from the knitting mechanism, a rotatable cam on said shaft, movable operating connections engaging said cam, a shaft extending lengthwise the knitting mechanism and moved by said connections, and means extending from said last mentioned shaft into periodic engagement with said latches.

23. In automatically operating knitting mechanism for controlling automatically the number of stitch-transfer points that are in operation at different successively knit portions of a stocking blank, which mechanism is of the type employing a straight set of oonjointly movable spring beard knitting needles and cooperating knitting instrumentalities, with means to introduce a main or weft thread to the needles; two block-like supports each carrying stitch-transfer points at both sides of said set of knitting needles, oppositely threaded screws and operating means therefor, nuts mounted on said screws respectively, two oppositely movable slide bars conof said movable bars, so that it then moves in unison with the transfer-point carrying block that is fixedly connected to such bar, said means including a shaft driven from the knitting mechanism, cam 43 on said shaft, a shaft 54 extending lengthwise the knitting mechanism, operating connections between said shaft 54 and said cam, latches respectively pivoted upon said nuts, and means operated from said cam 54 to govern the movement of said latches with relation to the respective ones of the second transfer-point carrying blocks.

25. That method of knitting a fiat-knit, nonrun or strongly run-resistant, selvaged stocking blank of unimpaired transverse elasticity, which com-.

prises the following steps: introducing to a straightset of conjointly movable spring beard knitting needles a main or weft thread, course after course, and a set of warp threads to'the respective needle wales from edge to edge of the said stocking blank, and at selected successively knit portions of the blank transferring inwardly stitches by means of a single block-like support carrying stitch transfer points at each edge of said stocking blank, and in the knittin of the heel and the toe portions of said stocking blank transferring inwardly stitches at successively knit portions thereof by means of said block-like supports and of an additional block-like support with stitch transfer points at each of said portions of the heel and toe, at each edge of said stocking blank.

rmswoa'm E. cARLson. 

